Riding The Blues Train During The Day: Our Fun Afternoon on the Bellarine
The platform at Queenscliff Railway Station is already buzzing when we arrive just before 12.30 pm. People are gathering with drinks in hand, posing for photos beside the heritage train and trying to guess which carriage they’ll start in. There’s live music floating through the station and the whole thing feels more like a festival than a train ride.
We’re doing the daytime Blues Train experience with The Blues Train on the Bellarine Railway — four hours of live music, heritage rail travel and all-inclusive drinks as the train rolls through the Bellarine Peninsula.
A Heritage Train Turned Into a Rolling Music Venue
The Blues Train starts and finishes in Queenscliff, stopping at Suma Park and Drysdale along the way before looping back again. At each stop, everyone swaps carriages to see a different act perform live.
Our ticket tells us which carriage to begin in, and from there it’s simply a matter of following the rotation order throughout the afternoon.
Each carriage has its own atmosphere. Some bands lean heavily into crowd participation, with passengers clapping, singing and dancing in the aisles within minutes. Others feel more intimate, where everyone settles in with a drink and simply enjoys the music rolling along the tracks.
The train itself is part of the magic. The timber interiors, the sway of the carriage and the close-up performances make it feel unlike any other live music experience we’ve done in Victoria.
Seating tips before you board
We quickly learn that seating within your allocated carriage is first come, first served.
As a group of four, we fit comfortably around one of the shared seating areas, but we notice a group of five struggling a little to squeeze together. Most of the layouts work best for couples or groups of two to four.
If sitting together matters, arriving early definitely helps. People who board later simply take whichever spots are left within their assigned carriage (no one misses out completely!).
There are around 200 people onboard during our trip, but it never feels chaotic. Every carriage has a dedicated attendant helping passengers, answering questions, collecting rubbish and making sure nobody gets left behind at station stops.
They even have Aerogard and earplugs available if needed.
The drinks list is better than expected
One of the biggest surprises is just how extensive the drinks menu is.
Because drinks are included in the ticket price, we expect fairly basic options, but there’s actually a really decent range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available throughout the afternoon. Drinks can only be ordered during station stops rather than while the train is moving, and passengers can order up to two at a time. RSA limits still apply.
I end up choosing a Shiraz from McLaren Vale, which is genuinely lovely.
The only slight disappointment is that the wines aren’t more locally focused. With so many fantastic wineries now operating across the Bellarine Peninsula, it feels like a missed opportunity not to showcase more regional wines onboard.
Still, nobody around us seems too upset. Every stop quickly becomes a cheerful rush of people grabbing drinks, chatting with strangers and heading off to the next carriage.
The snack box is a nice touch
Shortly after boarding, everyone receives a snack box containing a small portion of cheese and charcuterie.
It’s not intended to replace lunch, but it’s enough to nibble on throughout the afternoon while listening to the music.
The Blues Train no longer includes full meals, which actually works well for the daytime session because it leaves room for dinner afterwards in Queenscliff.
And after four hours of dancing, singing and drinking? You’ll definitely be hungry.
Important toilet advice before you go
One thing you absolutely need to know before boarding: there are no toilets on board the train. Bathrooms are only available during station stops.
The best toilets are definitely at Queenscliff Station at the beginning and end of the journey.
Suma Park has portable toilets and council facilities, while Drysdale has public toilets — but during our trip, this is where the longest queues form. By the end of the stop, we spot several women abandoning the ladies line and making a run for the men’s toilets instead.
Accessible toilets are available at all stations.
Our advice? Use the Queenscliff facilities before departure whenever possible.
The atmosphere gets better as the afternoon goes on
What starts as a polite crowd quickly turns into a full train-wide party.
By the second carriage swap, people are dancing together. By the third, complete strangers are singing along side by side like they’ve known each other for years.
There’s something about live blues music inside a moving heritage train that makes everyone relax almost immediately. Nobody seems worried about looking silly. People simply lean into the fun of it all.
And because we’re doing the daytime session, the atmosphere feels lively without becoming too rowdy. It strikes a really nice balance between concert, social outing and scenic railway experience.
Dinner afterwards in Queenscliff
One of the best parts of doing the daytime session is finishing around 4.30pm with the entire evening still ahead of us.
Instead of rushing home, we wander into town for dinner afterwards, which feels like the perfect way to end the day. Queenscliff has plenty of restaurants, pubs and wine bars within walking distance of the station, making it easy to turn The Blues Train into a full weekend experience.
After spending the afternoon dancing on a train with a glass of Shiraz in hand, sitting down for dinner by the coast feels pretty hard to beat.
FAQs About The Blues Train
How long does The Blues Train run for?
The daytime experience generally runs from 12.30pm to around 4.30pm, while evening sessions operate at night.
Are drinks really included?
Yes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included in your ticket price, although RSA limits apply and drinks can only be collected during station stops.
Is food included?
Passengers receive a snack box with cheese and charcuterie, but full meals are no longer included.
Are there toilets onboard?
No. Toilets are only available at station stops. Queenscliff has the best facilities.
Is The Blues Train suitable for non-drinkers?
Definitely. Plenty of people onboard are there primarily for the music and atmosphere, and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks are available.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing and secure shoes are best. Layers also help, especially during cooler months, as you’ll spend time outside during carriage swaps.
Can large groups sit together?
Groups of two to four fit most comfortably. Larger groups may need to split across nearby seating areas unless they arrive very early.
Is it accessible?
Accessible toilets are available at all stations. The Blues Train also provides accessibility information directly through their website.
Is The Blues Train worth it?
For us, absolutely. The combination of live music, heritage rail travel, inclusive drinks and the social atmosphere makes it feel genuinely different from a standard concert or pub gig.
By the time we roll back into Queenscliff, nobody in our group wants the afternoon to end.
Bookings can be made here: https://www.thebluestrain.com.au/
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